Sony PS3 Motion Controller Coming Spring 2010
Sony have come clean with some more details regarding its upcoming Motion Controller, while Joystiq managed to snap a shot of the movement-tracking peripheral at the company's Tokyo Game Show keynote. According to Sony, the controller – which may well be renamed before launch next year – should meet the "stringent" demands of hardcore gamers, thanks to its combination of two motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer.
Together with the PlayStation Eye, which will be a requirement for using the Motion Controller, the system will be able to track angle and movement, as well as the gamer's absolute position in front of the screen. Meanwhile the colored ball on top of the controller is used for both tracking and visual feedback, glowing in different shades, and the whole thing can vibrate for force-feedback.
The Sony Motion Controller – or whatever it ends up being called – is expected to arrive in stores come Spring 2010. No word on pricing at this early stage, but you can see an early list of titles that will support the controller in the gallery below.
Press Release:
MOTION CONTROLLER* FOR PLAYSTATION®3 TO BECOME AVAILABLE IN SPRING 2010Motion Controller (Tentative) Equipped with High-Precision Motion Sensors, Combined With PlayStation®Eye Camera, Delivers Whole New Entertainment Experience on PlayStation®3
Tokyo, September 24, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it will release new Motion Controller (tentative) for PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system in Spring 2010. The new controller, equipped with high-precision, highly accurate motion sensors, can deliver whole new entertainment experience on PS3 when combined together with the PlayStation®Eye camera*1. Capable of recognizing and tracking a user's face and voice as well as body motion, PlayStation Eye can also output the player's image onto the TV screen. SCE will vigorously promote the expansion of this new experience only possible on the PS3 platform.
The newly announced Motion Controller is equipped with two motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer that can detect the controller's angle and movement held in the user's hand. Together with the PlayStation Eye camera for PS3 which can accurately track the absolute position of the controller, the controller can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement on to the game. The sphere placed on the top of the controller is not only used to track the absolute position but can also give visual feedback to users by changing the colors or the illuminating patterns of the sphere. Furthermore, the new controller is also equipped with a rumble feature, familiar to the PlayStation® DUALSHOCK® series controller, delivering immersive gaming experience to users.
Further expanding the new experience on PS3, SCE Worldwide Studios will deliver many exciting software titles for the Motion Controller in 2010*2. SCE, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will deploy various measures to enhance the software title line-up for the new Motion Controller and vigorously promote the PS3 platform.
* Motion Controller is a tentative name.
*1 Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy Motion Controller on PS3.